# The Orville-Seth McFarlane **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 17, 2017, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814 "2017-05-17T03:28:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/541 "2017-09-24T03:03:15Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > heh > > Now, if all of a sudden dancing badgers had appeared as a support to dancing bandito…that would have set the awsome to at least 11… Badchers? We don’t need no steeking b. . .hey, ow, stop it! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/542 "2017-09-24T10:51:45Z")
> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > Badchers? We don’t need no steeking b. . .hey, ow, stop it! Damn it, corny as hell and still broke me up laughing. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/543 "2017-09-24T13:33:55Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > That’s my guess, too. Plus, when you include Heveena, that’s at least three female births in the span of one Moclin lifetime. I suspect that it happens far more often than they’re willing to acknowledge; it reminds me a little bit of Worf’s comment about the smooth-forehead Klingons in the DS9 episode “Trials and Tribble-ations”: “We do not talk about it.” Yeah, I was kind of expecting the revelation at the end to be that 5% or so of Moclin had been born female - since parents and doctors don’t tell the children about it, and the accepted wisdom is that the condition is very rare, every family would just think that they were the unlucky ones this century (and would have all the more reason to hide their family secret); the analogy would be to the way mental illness and disability was treated mid-20 century. Much better episode than I was expecting… ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/544 "2017-09-24T13:40:49Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Something like US states vs. the US Federal government? Probably. Not that civilian life is explored that deeply in any of the shows. A lot of episodes revolved around civilisations, that wants to join, and if they were up to Federation ethical standards. > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Does Earth have a world government? I think so, though I don’t recall we ever see them in the shows (never read any of the novels). There’s a President of the Federation that we see in some of the movies and in Deep Space 9. In DS9 he declared martial law over the earth. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/545 "2017-09-24T13:41:15Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Yeah, I was kind of expecting the revelation at the end to be that 5% or so of Moclin had been born female - since parents and doctors don’t tell the children about it, and the accepted wisdom is that the condition is very rare, every family would just think that they were the unlucky ones this century (and would have all the more reason to hide their family secret) I thought it was going to be 50%. ---
**Author:** ![vislor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vislor/32/5933_2.png) [@vislor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vislor)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/546 "2017-09-24T13:49:01Z")
Late to reply, so mostly agreement with what people have said. Episodes 2 and 3 had such a TNG vibe to them and I enjoyed the heck out of them! I was pleased that episode 3 did not end in the typical way. I also kept thinking of many TNG episodes that dealt with this kind of thing. I don’t know if the episode Half A Life was mentioned but I thought about that as well. I agree that Kelly’s arguments were weak. I think I, too, would have suggested that as a Union citizen, the female Maclin would have found acceptance someplace else. However. I think she was trying to refute what the prosecutor said, rather than bringing in new arguments. I also expected the scan to reveal a much bigger percentage of Maclin’s that were born female than was thought and it was a dirty secret. However, I’m glad that they didn’t as I think that creates something different than what they were arguing. It made me more curious if Union is being used in a true “loose confederation” type of arrangement, so instead of like Federal v State government, it’s independents that have rules if they interact with the Union? I did enjoy that the couple had this happen and now just keep going as a couple. Well done. We have enjoyed it and are going to keep coming back! ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/547 "2017-09-24T18:06:00Z")
> [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](#): > > Though it was never explicitly stated on Star Trek, I always got the notion that for Federation citizens it was Federation law first and _individual-member-of the-federation-culture-law_ second. It varied. I assume the planet Ardana (ruled by an elite called the “Cloud Minders”) was a Federation member, yet High Advisor Plasus could order the torture of a rebel (and Kirk was unable to stop him) and Spock pointed out to Kirk that Plasus could order Kirk’s execution if Kirk’s later meddling in planetary affairs came to light. As for the Orville episode, I’d’ve liked less reflexive outrage and at least one character who asked “female to male correction? What exactly does that entail?” but specificity wasn’t really going to help this premise. Palicki’s character made reference to “tits” and “penises”, indicating she was projecting human anatomical structures onto the situation, but this was never established as relevant or appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/548 "2017-09-24T20:59:00Z")
I was certain that whatever the outcome of the episode that the baby was going to be named Rudolph. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/549 "2017-09-24T21:05:53Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Palicki’s character made reference to “tits” and “penises”, indicating she was projecting human anatomical structures onto the situation, but this was never established as relevant or appropriate. Which is actually in keeping with the rest of the show. We’ve seen the humans all making human-centric pop culture references, which the aliens keep pointing out have literally no meaning to them, and yet, the humans keep making them. I guess we’re just that incredibly self-centered. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/550 "2017-09-24T21:19:05Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Which is actually in keeping with the rest of the show. We’ve seen the humans all making human-centric pop culture references, which the aliens keep pointing out have literally no meaning to them, and yet, the humans keep making them. > > I guess we’re just that incredibly self-centered. There are probably ships in the Union with more cosmopolitan humans - but this is “The Orville.” The people assigned here are competent, but not the best of the best. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/551 "2017-09-24T21:24:47Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > this is “The Orville.” The people assigned here are competent, I’m not so sure. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/552 "2017-09-24T21:25:49Z")
True. The most experienced crewmember appears to be the doctor, and she makes a point of getting assigned to ships with shitty captains. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/553 "2017-09-24T21:44:12Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > There are probably ships in the Union with more cosmopolitan humans - but this is “The Orville.” The people assigned here are competent, but not the best of the best. I’m seeing it as the The Orville version of this Star Trek fan theory: [[Album] The United Federation of "hold my beer, I got this" ![](https://i.imgur.com/29RX7Vw.jpeg?fb "The United Federation of "hold my beer, I got this"") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/wpZ4w) The humans greatest power is their devotion to 20th/21st century nostalgia. “So then the first officer says to the Captain, “We can use the wake of that bigger ship to disguise our approach!”, and the Captain says, “You mean, like Frasier Crane did in _Down Periscope?_”, and all the humans were like, “Oh, yeah, nice call!”, and I had no idea what they were talking about, but god damn me if it didn’t work…” ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/554 "2017-09-24T21:48:07Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > True. The most experienced crewmember appears to be the doctor, and she makes a point of getting assigned to ships with shitty captains. Thats some messed up shit right there 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/555 "2017-09-24T21:51:08Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > I’m seeing it as the The Orville version of this Star Trek fan theory: > > [The United Federation of "hold my beer, I got this" - Album on Imgur](https://imgur.com/gallery/wpZ4w) > > The humans greatest power is their devotion to 20th/21st century nostalgia. > > “So then the first officer says to the Captain, “We can use the wake of that bigger ship to disguise our approach!”, and the Captain says, “You mean, like Frasier Crane did in _Down Periscope?_”, and all the humans were like, “Oh, yeah, nice call!”, and I had no idea what they were talking about, but god damn me if it didn’t work…” Archie and Edith at Tanagra. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/556 "2017-09-24T22:27:01Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Archie and Edith at Tanagra. PeeWee Herman, his penis in his hands! ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/557 "2017-09-24T22:40:38Z")
heh ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/558 "2017-09-25T00:33:23Z")
> [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](#): > > Probably. Not that civilian life is explored that deeply in any of the shows. A lot of episodes revolved around civilisations, that wants to join, and if they were up to Federation ethical standards… That actually came up in an episode of DS9; Bajor briefly flirted with the idea of reinstating their pre-Occupation cast system even though it’d make them ineligible for Federation membership. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/559 "2017-09-25T01:04:51Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > That actually came up in an episode of DS9; Bajor briefly flirted with the idea of reinstating their pre-Occupation cast system even though it’d make them ineligible for Federation membership. OTOH, Maj. Kira attempting to be an artist was amusing. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/560 "2017-09-25T01:08:29Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > PeeWee Herman, his penis in his hands! Are you insinuating that we’re all just jerking off? :dubious: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814.md?page=29)